Changes in the Work, Work conditions and Well-being of Foremen in the Building and Construction Industry in the 1990s in Finland

Lehto, Ritva

Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health/ P.O. Box 486/ Fin-33101 Tampere, Finland, 358 3 260 8600 / rile@ttl.fi

Kylä-Setälä, Eeva

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health

Riitta Hietala

Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health

Jorma Lappalainen

Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health

Pirjo Palmroos

Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health

Panu Oksa

Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health

ABSTRACT                                                                                                                          

This study was aimed to investigate the changes in the work, well-being and working conditions of construction supervisors and foremen. Questionnaires and interviews were used to find out their perceptions of their work, responsibility, influence, functionality of the working community and personal health and well- being. The study yielded a picture of ageing, balanced, confident and skilled supervisors and foremen who nevertheless faced greater pressures and more often were working at the limit of their capability than ten years previously. Tight schedules were found to be the most important stressfactor.

Keywords

building and construction, supervisor, well-being, work ability

INTRODUCTION                                                                                                                

During the last few decades continuous change has been a marker of Finnish work- life and in the to 1990´s the speed of change even increased. The effects on work- life will still be apparent for many years to come. The events of the 1990´s were related to Finland’s severest economic recession and its financial crisis a high rate of unemployment, rapid internationalization and the increasing demands of competition. At the same time the ageing of Finnish population began to affect the structure of the workforce. The effect of economic recession was reflected the decreased the job market, especially in the building and construction industry.

WORK PRESSURE                                WORK DEMANDS

LEISURE- TIME

HEALTH BEHAVIOUR

FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY

WORK ABILITY

STRESS FACTOR

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

SATISFACTION REGARD

BACK- GROUND

WORK WORK DEMANDS

TRADE CYCLE

TYÖTERVEYSLAITOS

FIG 1. Study design

The research design had, as its central concept, the functional capacity and work ability of the subjects. This concept is influenced by different kinds of stress and strain factors related to society, work, work demands and a person´s own life situation. In addition to the background factors, the use of leisure time and health behavior influence each person´s functional capacity and work ability.

OBJECTIVES                                                                                                                       

This study was aimed at investigating the changes in the work, well-being and working conditions of supervisors and foremen the building and construction industry in Finland in the 1990s.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS                                                                                               

This study focused on active members of the Federation of Construction Engine ers in the Private Sector in Finland. The rate of unionization is good because about 80% of construction supervisors and foremen belong to the union. All unemployed and pensioned members were deleted from the study population, and questionnaires were sent to about 1400 (every 4.) construction supervisors and foremen. Altogether 909 (66%) were returned. Fourteen construction supervisors and four foremen were also interviewed.

The subjects´ perceptions of their work, its contents, and their responsibilities, their possibilities to influence their work, the activity of the work community, and their own health and well-being were inquired about. Adverse factors in the work environment, work demands, and perceptions of possibilities to influence work were also asked about. In addition data were gathered on the construction supervisors´ and foremen´s perceptions of the effect of work, the variation in the personnel at their worksites, and the resources needed to develop co-operation and deal with their own responsibilities.

This was a cross-sectional study. A similar study had carried out union members in 1989. Both of the samples used were representative. Therefore conclusions can be drawn about the changes in supervisors and foremen and their work.

RESULTS                                                                                                                             

The construction supervisors and foremen who responded to the questionnaire in 2000 were clearly older than those who responded in 1989. This ageing of the personnel may explain many of the differences found in the results of the present study when compared with those of the earlier study. Lifestyle had changed in a healthier direction.

Table 1. Characteristics of the subjects

When information technology was introduced to construction sites, it increased the need for additional education. Only 12% of the construction supervisors thought that they had sufficient knowledge of the computer programs they used, and 65- 70% of the supervisors and foremen felt that they needed to develop their computer skills. Over one-third of the supervisors were poorly skilled in the use of their computer programs. One-fifth did not need a computer in their work.

Possibilities to influence work

The supervisors and foremen thought that the possibilities to influence their own work had increased. They felt that they could especially influence the order in which

jobs were done, the resources needed, the amount of work, and the tempo of the work to a greater degree. Satisfaction with their work had also increased.

Good possibilities to influence

Item                                        Supervisors

(n=358)

Foremen (n=165)

                                                    %                                      %                          

Equipments 84 (59)*** 73 (51)***

Materials 70 (50)*** 56 (38)***

Guidance and training                  66 (47)***                           45 (39)

* p